North Carolina State UniversityThe Friday InstituteNCSU College of EducationNCSU NELA Project Hompage

Standard 3: Cultural Leadership


Principals will understand and act on the understanding of the important role a school’s culture plays in contributing to the exemplary performance of the school. Principals must support and value the traditions, artifacts, symbols and positive values and norms of the school and community that result in a sense of identity and pride upon which to build a positive future. A principal must be able to “re-culture” the school if needed to align with school’s goals of improving student and adult learning and to infuse the work of the adults and students with passion, meaning and purpose. Cultural leadership implies understanding the school and the people in it each day, how they came to their current state, and how to connect with their traditions in order to move them forward to support the school’s efforts to achieve individual and collective goals.

Standard 3 Chart.png

Related Coursework and Trainings
  • Distinguished Leadership in Practice Assignment: "Cultural Leadership"
  • Facilitative Leadership Training
  • Schooling by Design Training
  • Visit to AB Combs Leadership Magnet School (Raleigh, NC)
  • Visit to KIPP School: Gaston College Prep and KIPP Pride High (Gaston, NC)
  • Social Justice Workshop
  • Crucial Conversations Training

Related Readings
  • How to Win Friends and Influence People, Carnegie
  • The Fifth Discipline, Senge
  • Reframing Organizations, Bolman & Deal
  • The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Covey

3a. Focus on Collaborative Work Environment

The principal understands and acts on the understanding of the positive role that a collaborative work environment can play in the school’s culture.

Experiences and Artifacts


3b. School Culture and Identity


The principal develops and uses shared vision, values and goals to define the identity and culture of the school.

Experiences and Artifacts
  • Collaborated with administrative team to develop celebrations including, STRESSED-DESSERTS day for staff and Father's Circle Football Night for students and parents
  • Co-facilitated PBIS meetings to analyze student discipline data, review student expectations matrix, and plan celebrations for student behavioral successes including kickoff celebration, most-improved celebration, and end-of-year event
  • Developed videos and presentations for students to advertise PBIS events and fundraisers
  • Participated in vision planning work session with each grade level team
  • Developed daily morning announcements with student expectations, motivational thoughts, student and staff celebrations, and school vision
  • Sent informal notes to teachers expressing gratitude or celebrating instructional accomplishments
  • Created new student orientation presentation to introduce new students to staff, vision, expectations, and ways to become involved in the Parker Community

3c. Acknowledges Failures; Celebrates Accomplishments and Rewards


The principal acknowledges failures and celebrates accomplishments of the school in order to define the identity, culture and performance of the school.

Experiences and Artifacts
  • Co-facilitated PBIS meetings to analyze student discipline data, review student expectations matrix, and plan celebrations for student behavioral successes including kickoff celebration, most-improved celebration, and end-of-year event
  • Sent informal notes to teachers expressing gratitude or celebrating instructional accomplishments
  • Discussed discipline data with students, teachers, and parents and developed recommendations for moving forward with fewer referrals in high-priority areas
  • Conducted difficult conversations with teachers around disengaging instruction and behavior management

3d. Efficacy and Empowerment


The principal develops a sense of efficacy and empowerment among staff which influences the school’s identity, culture and performance.

Experiences and Artifacts
  • Provided support through informal observations and conversations with new teachers around developing classroom procedures, setting expectations for students, and planning and implementing engaging instruction
  • Worked with 7th grade team to plan field trip to the Dunn Center and accompanying student celebration
  • Sent informal notes to teachers expressing gratitude or celebrating instructional accomplishments
  • Met with students and staff to gain feedback on PBIS celebrations, discipline procedures, and other school wide topics